Paper-making Workshop Directions and Tips

Before Class:

1. Have students design and cut-out a watermark using magnetic sheets 

2. Prepare a clean workspace 

3. Prepare paper pulp: 
   • Add a small amount pulp and water to a blender in batches, blend thoroughly  
   • Drain the water out of the pulp using a strainer 
   • Fill up the sandwich bags with drained paper pulp, each student or group should receive two bags 

4. Lay down towels to protect workspace 

5. Fill plastic bin with water, about 2 inches deep 

6. Add a bag of paper pulp 

7. If pulp has any brown spots or mold, remove them and add rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer to the tub 

8. Break up paper pulp with hands 

9. Allow pulp to soak for at least 20 minutes 

Directions: 

1. Fold a hand towel into thirds lengthwise 

2. Lay down a couching cloth or blue shop towel 

3. Agitate pulp mixture and break down any large clumps (pulp mixture should look like clouds) 

4. Remove paper backing form magnet sheet and stick to the front (flat surface) of the screen 

5. Dip screen into the tub and swipe the screen across the tub  

6. Pull the screen back up to the surface parallel to the water 

7. Allow the screen to drain 

8. Turn the screen upside down and press the paper onto the couching cloth using a rocking motion from left to right 

9. Paper should come of off the screen, if not scoop the pulp off of the screen and try again 

10. Add another couching cloth on top of the first sheet of paper 

11. Dip the screen back into the tub and repeat 

12. Continue making paper until you get close to running out of pulp 

13. Put heavy books into 2 large zip-loc bags 

14. Sandwich the finished papers between the two bags of books on the table or the ground 

15. Stand or press down onto the book sandwich to squeeze out excess water (best if done outside) 

16. Separate couching cloths and allow paper to dry slightly 

17. Gently remove the damp paper from the cloths 

18. Sit paper onto cardboard (without touching each other) and let dry 

19. To dispose of paper pulp: 

• Pour left over pulp mixture over a strainer to remove pulp 
• Squeeze remove excess pulp 
• Strain the water again to ensure that all pulp has been removed 
• The pour the used water down the drain 
• Place unused pulp in a zip-loc bag and repurpose 

Sun prints: 

1. In a room without bright light open the surprints kit or get a sheet of cyanotype paper 

2. Lay down a piece of homemade paper that best shows your watermark on top of the blue side of the paper 

3. Lay the glass or acrylic sheet on top and set out in the sun 

4. Let the paper sit outside for at least 5 minutes, the longer the better 

5. Place paper into a plastic pin and pour water and lemon juice on top of the paper 

6. Allow the print to develop, the watermark should be a dark blue color 

Tips: 

• Wear clothes that you do not mind getting dirty 
• Keep extra water and paper pulp nearby to control pulp mixture consistency 
• Lay down towels around your workspace (water will get everywhere) 
• If possible, do the paper making workshop outside 
• Be gentle when transporting wet paper from screens and couching cloths 
• Choose a sunny day to do the sun print exercise 

Safety: 

• Do not eat or drink paper pulp mixture 
• Be sure to remove the paper pulp from the mixture before pouring down the drain